giver or taker

As I’ve been preparing for my Palm Sunday message (I don’t actually call it my Palm Sunday message but that sounds much more official), I’ve been pondering this idea of giving versus getting. Or, to put it another way, giving or taking.

As the gospel narrative approaches the cross, it becomes obvious that Jesus was more concerned about giving than getting. He tells his disciples that he came to “give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Even when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he gave up his right to get his way.

Generally speaking, there are two types of people in this world: people who give and people who take.

A giver looks for ways to add value. A taker drains away resources.

A giver asks, “What can I do for you?” A taker asks, “What are you going to do for me?”

A giver is content to know she made a difference. A taker wants everyone to know he just made a difference.

How do you approach relationships? A giver will approach a relationship by looking for ways to add to the relationship. A taker will consume what benefits them from the relationship and then discard it.

How do you approach your spiritual life? A giver will want to serve God and others because they are thankful for what God has done for them. A taker is only concerned about “my blessings.”

People like to be around givers. People get tired of being around takers.